FORMER Melksham schoolboy Mark Williams has completed one of the toughest training programmes in the world to become a Royal Marine Commando.

The 18-year-old, who used to attend The George Ward School, was awarded the Green Beret at a passing out ceremony in Devon.

To qualify, Marine Williams had to display commando qualities of unselfishness, cheerfulness under adversity, courage, determination

and high professional standards.

He said: "Commando training is well known for its intensity, but everything we do is progressive which enables people with all standards of fitness to achieve the final goal.

"Thirty weeks of the most arduous training in the world is enough to change any man.

"It's been a fantastic experience for me and I've made some lifelong friends.

"The sense of achievement is immense, but I know there are many more challenges to come challenges which we are all well equipped to meet."

To be awarded the Green Beret, recruits have to pass the commando tests, which include an endurance course, Tarzan assault course, nine-mile speed march, and 30-mile run across Dartmoor carrying 40lbs of equipment.

A spokesman said: "The Royal Marines provide ready, capable, deployable and sustainable forces for operations worldwide. They were used effectively in Iraq."